AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hear several chuckles and I sputter out a laugh at her butchered version of ‘booboo’. “I had an accident and hit my head.”
She lifts her hand lightly and runs her finger along the puckered skin. “Did someone kiss it bedder?”
Tears spring to my eyes at her innocent little question.
“Kiss, kiss.” I know immediately that she wants to kiss my “boobie.” I bend down and she plants a small kiss right on my scar. When she pulls back, she has a huge grin on her face and says, “Bedder!” before running out of the room.
It takes everything in me not to start crying. Never have I had anyone want to kiss my booboos better. That little girl just stole my heart in five seconds flat. I quickly glance around the room and see all eyes are on me.
The little boy steps up next and whips out his hand. “Hi, I’m Michael and I’m five.”
I take hold of his hand gently and shake it. “Hi Michael, my name is Bailey. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Do you like my uncle Jax?” His question takes me off guard and I look up at Jaxon. He has a small smile playing on his lips.
I look back down at Michael and answer his question. “Yes, Michael, I do like your uncle Jax. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Are you going to marry him and make babies? ‘Cause I need someone else to play with. I’m tired of playing with my two sisters,” he says with a pout.
It feels like a sucker punch to my stomach. That’s two things I could never have with Jaxon: marriage and babies.
I’m saved from answering Michael’s question because Tricia walks up to him and says, “Okay, that’s enough questions, mister. Let Sarah meet Bailey now.”
I’m not fully recovered from the heartbreaking reality of things as cute little girl looking to be about the same age as Michael walks up to me. I know that they must be twins.
“You must be Sarah. I’m Bailey.” She just nods, not saying anything. She’s still eyeing me with trepidation.
We stare at each other for several seconds before her eyes start to water. I’m completely shocked. What did I do? Why does it look like she’s going to cry?
“Y-you won’t take J-Jaxon away will you?” she asks, her bottom lip quivering.
I glance back up to Jaxon again and see a frown appear on his face. He walks over and hunkers down next to me in front of Sarah.
“Sarah Jane, look at me,” he tells her. When she pulls her watery gaze from me and looks at him, he continues. “No one could ever take me away from you, okay? You’re my Jelly Bean.”
She looks back at me for confirmation and I cup my hand over her tiny cheek. “I promise that I would never take Jaxon away from you.”
After another few seconds, she simply nods and launches herself at Jaxon, who immediately wraps his arms around her. With her still in his arms, we both stand up.
When Jaxon walks away to the table to sit with Sarah in his lap, Tricia walks up to me. “For some reason she’s attached herself to Jaxon. It’s always been that way.”
We both stand and watch the two of them talking quietly. A couple minutes later Jaxon says something to Sarah that makes her laugh. It sounds so sweet and carefree. Nothing like the insecure little girl of a few minutes ago.
The back door opens and closes again and we both turn toward it.
“And there’s my Hunter. Come meet Bailey, honey.” She gestures to me with her hand.
He’s tall but not quite as tall as Jaxon. He has light brown hair cut close to his head and kind hazel eyes.
“It’s good to meet you, Bailey. Jaxon’s talked about you a lot. It’s nice to finally put a face with the name.” My eyes dart over to Jaxon again, who still has Sarah in his lap. I wonder what he’s said about me.
“It’s great to meet you, too. You have a beautiful family.”
He drapes his arm around Tricia and gives her a squeeze. “Thank you. I think they’re pretty beautiful myself,” he says, gazing down at his wife.
“Alright, who’s ready to eat?” Lilly says loudly.
We all gather around and take our places at the table. While I was busy meeting the kids Lilly and Anna had quietly set all the food on the table. We’re having country fried steak, mashed potatoes, corn, sweet peas, homemade biscuits, and salad. It all looks delicious.
